Social Security Q&A

LITTLE ROCK — Q. I was disabled for a while several years ago. My health has since improved. Can I receive disability benefits for the time I was disabled?

A. If you were disabled “several years ago,” but are not disabled now, you probably can’t get benefits at this point.

Whether or not you are entitled to what we call a “closed period of disability” depends on:

When you became disabled;

and

When you apply for Social Security disability benefits.

You may be entitled to a “closed period of disability” when medical evidence establishes you were unable to engage in substantial gainful work activity for a continuous period of 12 months, but by the time the disability decision is made, you have medically recovered. You must also meet the following requirements to be entitled to a closed period of disability:

You must file an application within 14 months after the disability ended; or

You must have filed an application between 15 to 36 months after the disability ended and you must show that your failure or inability to file a timely application was due to your physical or mental condition.

If you meet the requirements for disability benefits, there is a five-month waiting period before your first monthly benefit can be paid. You can receive up to 12 months of retroactive benefits from the date you file an application with Social Security. Learn more about Social Security disability benefits at socialsecurity.gov/disability.

More information is available by calling (800) 772-1213 or TTY, (800) 325-0778. On the web, go to socialsecurity.gov. This column was prepared by the Social Security Administration.